Key Takeaways
1. Players experienced long wait times and server issues during the early access launch of Ashes of Creation on December 11th, leading to disappointment in the game’s quality for its $49.99 price tag.
2. Claims of censorship emerged, with reports of Steam forum moderators deleting critical posts about the game, particularly from long-time supporters who invested significant amounts of money.
3. Supporters of the game have corroborated censorship claims, noting the disappearance of valid criticisms from discussions on various platforms, indicating a potential bias against negative feedback.
4. The game has faced ongoing controversies since its Kickstarter in 2017, including a referral program violating Kickstarter rules and allegations against the founder for promoting pyramid schemes.
5. Many players believe the ambitious nature of Ashes of Creation may have led to a premature early access launch, with concerns that developers prioritized release over readiness due to financial pressures.
Announced in 2016, the anticipation for Ashes of Creation’s early access launch didn’t last long enough to ensure a smooth experience. Players have pointed out server problems and gameplay that seems to need years of improvement. Mixed reviews on Steam include several gamers stating that their posts on the forums have been removed.
Long Wait, Long Queues
When the newest phase of the MMORPG from Intrepid Studios kicked off on December 11th, players faced immediate long wait times. After finally logging in, many fans felt that the experience did not justify the trouble. Even though it’s in early access, critics argue that the game is in too rough condition to justify its price of $49.99.
Claims of Censorship
A review of Ashes of Creation that is gaining traction claims that Steam forum moderators are engaging in censorship. Damien Scott mentions that just before the launch, they “deleted every single critical post about the game, many of which were from people that have paid hundreds/thousands of dollars to support the game.” He also notes similar actions in the game’s official forum, subreddit, and Discord.
Supporters Speak Out
Other players, many of whom have backed the project since it started, are echoing Damien’s claims. When searching on Google, users will find indexed Steam forum threads that no longer exist. Valve does have guidelines for its moderators, but they have significant leeway in managing discussions. In this instance, it seems like they are targeting legitimate criticisms rather than offensive comments or abusive conduct.
Ongoing Controversies
Ashes of Creation has faced controversy since its successful Kickstarter in 2017. A referral program provided in-game currency to players who persuaded others to support the game. This incentive was against Kickstarter’s rules, but it continued to be used. Allegations have also surfaced against Intrepid founder Steven Sharif for promoting pyramid schemes.
Ambitious Expectations
As a sandbox MMORPG, many players feel that Ashes of Creation is too ambitious. Unlike just completing quests or raids similar to World of Warcraft, players can craft worlds, called nomes. Given the intricate mechanics, these players see the Steam early access launch as premature. One theory suggests that the developers were running low on funds and had to stick to the original release date.
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